Protein material for slow digestion and its use

Abstract

The subject of the invention is the use of a protein material whose rate of digestion has been reduced, for the preparation of an enteral composition which makes it possible to modulate the postprandial plasma amino acid level, said protein material having been previously treated so as to convert the fast-digesting proteins which it contains to slow-digesting proteins, characterized in that the slow-digesting protein material is a material containing microparticulate gelled proteins combined with polysaccharides under conditions of thermodynamic incompatibility.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for modulating the postprandial plasma amino acid levels in a mammal comprising the step of administering to a mammal a composition including a slow-digesting protein, the slow-digesting protein being a protein material containing microparticulate gelled proteins that are combined with polysaccharides under conditions of thermodynamic incompatibility, the protein material having been treated so as to convert any fast-digesting proteins which the protein material contains to slow-digesting proteins. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition modulates the postprandial plasma amino acid levels by increasing a postprandial protein gain in the mammal. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition modulates the postprandial plasma amino acid levels by avoiding a metabolic overloading of certain organs in the mammal. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition modulates the postprandial plasma amino acid levels by avoiding a metabolic overload of certain enzymes in the mammal. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition modulates the postprandial plasma amino acid levels by limiting daily food intake in the mammal by virtue of a satiating effect of these proteins. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition modulates the postprandial plasma amino acid levels by compensating for certain dysfunctions in the metabolism of amino acids in the mammal. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition modulates the postprandial plasma amino acid levels by improving the regeneration of tissues in the mammal. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein the mammal is a human suffering from renal insufficiency. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  wherein the mammal is a human suffering from hepatic pathologies. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  wherein the mammal is a human suffering from dysfunctions in the metabolism of at least certain amino acids. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  wherein the mammal is a pet. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  wherein the pet is elderly. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11  wherein the pet is in a period of growth. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1  wherein the protein material is gelled by heat treatment. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1  wherein the polysaccharides are chosen from the group consisting of: alginates; xanthan gum; gum arabic; guar; starch; maltodextrin and dextrins; pectins; kappa-carrageenans; iota-carrageenans; lambda-carrageenans; methyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose; sulfated dextrans; and gellan gum. 
     
     
       16. A composition intended to be enterally administered to a mammal containing a slow-digesting protein material containing microparticulate gelled proteins combined with polysaccharides under conditions of thermodynamic incompatibility. 
     
     
       17. The composition of  claim 16 , wherein the polysaccharides are chosen from the group consisting of: alginates; xanthan gum; gum arabic; guar; starch; maltodextrin and dextrins; pectins; kappa-carrageenans; iota-carrageenans; lambda-carrageenans; methyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose; sulfated dextrans; and gellan gum. 
     
     
       18. The composition of  claim 16  wherein the proteins are gelled by heat treatment. 
     
     
       19. The composition of  claim 16  comprising: 
       a source of proteins providing at least 8% of the total energy;  
       a source of carbohydrates providing up to 70% of the total energy; and  
       a source of lipids providing up to 35% of the total energy.  
     
     
       20. The composition of  claim 16  having an energy density of between approximately 70 to about 200 Kcal/100 ml. 
     
     
       21. The composition of  claim 16  wherein the protein material contains about 50% by caloric content of caseinoglycomacropeptides. 
     
     
       22. The composition of  claim 21  including a source of carbohydrates, a source of lipids, and vitamins and minerals. 
     
     
       23. The composition of  claim 16  wherein the composition is in the form of a pet food. 
     
     
       24. The composition of  claim 23  in which the source of lipids represents up to 60% of the total energy and the quantity of proteins up to 40% on the basis of the dry extract. 
     
     
       25. A composition intended to be enterally administered to a mammal containing a slow-digesting protein material, the slow-digesting protein material having been previously treated so as to convert fast-digesting proteins which the slow-digesting protein material contained to slow-digesting proteins. 
     
     
       26. The composition of  claim 25  wherein the slow-digesting protein material includes particulate gelled proteins combined with polysaccharides under conditions of thermodynamic incompatibility. 
     
     
       27. The composition of  claim 25  wherein the polysaccharides are chosen from the group consisting of: alginates; xanthan gum; gum arabic; guar; starch; maltodextrin and dextrins; pectins; kappa-carrageenans; iota-carrageenans; lambda-carrageenans; methyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose; sulfated dextrans; and gellan gum. 
     
     
       28. The composition of  claim 25  comprising: 
       a source of proteins providing at least 8% of the total energy;  
       a source of carbohydrates providing up to 70% of the total energy; and  
       a source of lipids providing up to 35% of the total energy.  
     
     
       29. The composition of  claim 25  having an energy density of between approximately 70 to about 200 Kcal/100 ml. 
     
     
       30. The composition of  claim 25  wherein the slow-digesting protein material contains about 50% by caloric content of caseinoglycomacropeptides. 
     
     
       31. The composition of  claim 30  including a source of carbohydrates, a source of lipids, and vitamins and minerals. 
     
     
       32. The composition of  claim 25  wherein the composition is in the form of a pet food. 
     
     
       33. The composition of  claim 32  in which the source of lipids represents up to 60% of the total energy and the quantity of proteins up to 40% on the basis of the dry extract.